Method for preparing air channel-equipped film for use in vacuum package

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a method for preparing an air channel-equipped film for use in vacuum packages, which comprises the step of providing a gas-impermeable base, along with a melt-extruded heat-sealable resin, to a laminating unit consisting of a laminating roll and a cooling roll, to form a heat-sealable resin layer on the gas-impermeable base, characterized in that the heat-sealable resin is molded and quenched in such a way that a plurality of protrusions, corresponding to a plurality of grooves formed in a predetermined pattern on the circumferential surface of the cooling roll, are formed on the molded heat-sealable resin layer, defining channels for the evacuation of air therebetween. The method is simple because of its ability to form air channels without the aid of additional embossing-techniques, as well as being economically favorable owing to the employment of no embossing molds.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method for preparing an airchannel-equipped film for use in vacuum packages. More specifically, thepresent invention is directed to a method for preparing an airchannel-equipped film, in which a heat-sealable resin layer havingchannels for the evacuation of air formed in a pattern defined bygrooves on a cooling roll is formed on a gas-impermeable base layer, anda bag for use in vacuum packages produced by use of such films.

PRIOR ART

In various countries including the United States, a method of preservingperishable foods such as meats or processed meats for a long term hasbeen widely used, comprising the steps of stuffing foods into a plasticbag capable of maintaining a vacuum therein, evacuating air from the bagby use of an air pump or another vacuum processing machine, and tightlysealing the bag.

With reference to FIG. 1, a schematic perspective view of theconventional bag for use in vacuum packages is illustrated. Theconventional bag comprises a main body 110 with both sheets 111 and 112consisting of a plastic-based film; a sealed part 120 in which a lower,a left, and a right edge of the main body 110 are heat-sealed so as toform an inner space for receiving perishable products such as foods; andan unsealed part 130 provided at an upper edge of the main body 110,through which perishable products are stuffed into the main body 110 andair is evacuated from the inside of the main body 110. At this time, themain body 10 is generally made of a thermoplastic polyethylene resinwhich is melted by heat and is harmless to a human body.

After foods are stuffed through the unsealed part 130 into the bag andair is evacuated from the inside of the bag by use of an air pump oranother vacuum processing machine, the unsealed part is heated to apredetermined temperature and pressed to seal the bag.

However, the bag as above is disadvantageous in that both sheets 111 and112 of the main body 110 are quickly adhered to each other while some ofair is discharged from the bag when perishable products are stuffed intothe bag and air in the bag is evacuated by use of a vacuum processingmachine, and thus air remaining in the lower part of the bag may notevacuated.

To avoid the above disadvantage, a technology for forming air channelsby processing the conventional sheet with the aid of embossingtechniques was developed. According to the technology, air channels areformed on one sheet or both sheets of a film constituting the main body,and air is evacuated along the air channel from the bag during theevacuation of air in the bag by the vacuum processing machine, therebyair existing in the lower par of the bag is easily evacuated from thebag.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,778,173 discloses a method of producing airtightpackages using the above technology. According to this method, anevacuating opening is formed on a first sheet, and a second sheet islaid overlapped with the first sheet in such a way that the second sheetprecisely overlaps the first sheet. At this time, a plurality of spacingprojections are formed on at least one of the two sheets, therebychannels for the movement of air, connected to the openings, are formed.In addition, the projections may take shapes of pyramid and hemisphere,and are formed by pressing the film constituting the sheet using heatedfemale and male dies or various tools. Alternatively, the channels areformed by interposing a strip with projections between the first sheetand the second sheet.

According to this method, projections in a blank of flexible,fluid-tight sheet material to provide channels between the projections,and one sheet portion of the blank is folded over another sheet portionof the blank with the projections between the sheet portions and withthe peripheral edges of the sheet portions contacting each other. Then,the contacting peripheral edges are sealed to each other for part oftheir length to form an envelope having an inlet at the unsealed part ofthe peripheral edges. A commodity is introduced into the envelopethrough the inlet and the remainder of the contacting peripheral edgesis sealed to each other to close the inlet. Thereafter, an evacuatingopening is pierced in a part of the sheet material which communicateswith the channels, air is removed from the interior of the envelopethrough the channels and opening, and the opening is sealed. However,this method is disadvantageous in that two sealing steps areadditionally required after the commodity is stuffed into the envelope.

To avoid the above disadvantage, another technology was developed, inwhich a main body of the conventional bag for use in vacuum packages asshown in FIG. 1 consists of laminated films, and at least one sheet ofthe main body is embossed by use of an embossing mold.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the conventional bag for usein vacuum packages, with its one side being subjected to embossing. Inthis technology, one film layer 113 of laminated film layers 113 and 114constituting the main body 110 of the conventional bag for use in vacuumpackages as shown in FIG. 2 is embossed to form protrusions 116 andchannels 115 defined by the space between protrusions 116, so that airis readily evacuated from the bag.

Such a technology is exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. Re. 34,929. The bagfor use in vacuum packages consists of a first panel and a second paneloverlapping each other, and panels each having a predetermined thicknessare sealed to each other at a lower, a left, and a right edge except aninlet for receiving products. Furthermore, the first and the secondpanel each consist of a heat-sealable inner layer with a uniformthickness and a gas-impermeable outer layer with a uniform thickness,and a plurality of protrusions are formed in a waffle-shaped pattern onan inner and an outer surface of at least one panel of the first paneland the second panel (refer to FIGS. 6 and 7 in U.S. Pat. No. Re.34,929). In particular, an embossing pattern is formed on a hot roller,and the laminated film consisting of the gas-impermeable sheet and theheat-sealable sheet is provided to the hot roller and embossed withheating to form channels 115 and protrusions 116. However, when theprotrusions and channels are forcibly formed on the film with apredetermined thickness by heat, the contacting portion between thechannel and the protrusion is drawn and such a drawn portion of the filmbecomes thin. Thus, the film may be torn during the embossing, orpinholes may be formed on the film due to re-drawing of the film duringforming a vacuum in the bag, and so environmental air flows into thebag. Also, it is necessary to frequently replace the embossing mold witha new one because the film may be damaged due to abrasion of theembossing mold when the embossing mold is used for a long time.

Meanwhile, U.S. Pat. No. 5,554,423 corresponding to EP 0 648 688 B1discloses a bag for use in vacuum packages using another type ofprotrusions. According to this patent, a tubular element for formingbags for the vacuum-packing of products comprises a first sheetconsisting of a gas-impermeable outer layer and a heat-sealable innerlayer and a second sheet consisting of a gas-impermeable outer layer anda heat-sealable inner layer, and the first sheet and the second sheetare adhered to each other at an upper and a lower edge to form a spacefor receiving perishable products in the bag. In particular, a pluralityof heat-sealable strand elements are heat bonded at regular intervals tothe inner sheet of any one sheet of the first sheet and the second sheetin such a way that heat-sealable strand elements extend along a lengthof the tubular element substantially parallel to the upper and lowerbonded edges, thereby a space between strand elements acts as a channelfor the evacuation of air. In this respect, FIG. 3 schematicallyillustrates arrangement and heat bonding of a plurality of heat-sealablestrand elements on the sheet. According to this patent, a plurality ofstrand elements 4 extruded from an extrusion head 2 for use in producingstrand elements are arranged at regular intervals on the heat-sealablelayer of the laminated sheet 1 consisting of the gas-impermeable layerand the heat-sealable layer, and heat bonded to a surface of theheat-sealable layer by use of pressure rollers 3 and 3′. However, thispatent is disadvantageous in that separate equipments are required forproducing strand elements, and a procedure of heat bonding a pluralityof strand elements at regular intervals to the heat-sealable inner layeris very complicated. Other disadvantages are that various shapes ofpattern are hard to form, i.e. only strand type channels are formed, andthe production of the film with relatively thin thickness is difficultbecause the strand elements for channels are additionally formed on theheat-sealable inner layer having a predetermined thickness.

Referring to FIG. 4, another method of preparing a film for use invacuum packages is illustrated, in which channels are directly formed ona heat-sealable inner layer by a co-extrusion process using blowing, andthe resulting heat-sealable inner layer is laminated on agas-impermeable outer layer.

In detail, protrusions 5 are equipped on a co-extrusion ring of theinner layer, and so channels are formed by the protrusions on the filmfor use in vacuum packages when the film is upwardly blown. However,this method is disadvantageous in that only stripe-shaped channels areformed in itself on the film regardless of the shape of the protrusions,and so various shapes of channels cannot be obtained. Furthermore, thereis a limitation in making narrow a space between channels due tocharacteristics of the co-extrusion process using blowing, so thatsheets constituting the main body of the bag are readily adhered to eachother during vacuum packing. Thus, the formation of a vacuum in the bagis not sufficient.

Therefore, there remains a need for providing a method of preparing afilm for use in vacuum packages, by which more various channel patternscan be achieved with ease compared with the conventional method.

The present inventors have conducted extensive studies into an improvedmethod of preparing a film for use in vacuum packages, resulting in thefinding that the film for use in vacuum packages, which is prepared insuch a manner that a beat-sealable resin melt-extruded through a nozzleof an extruder and a gas-impermeable base layer are provided between alaminating roll and a cooling roll having grooves formed in apredetermined pattern on a surface thereof, thereby the heat-sealablelayer with protrusions and channels for the evacuation of air is formedon the gas-impermeable base layer, can easily overcome the disadvantagesencountered in the prior arts.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a methodof preparing a film for use in vacuum packages, which can effectivelyprevent pinholes from occurring and can improve an ability to form avacuum by precisely forming channels.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method ofpreparing a film for use in vacuum packages, in which various channelpatterns of the film can be readily provided.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a methodof preparing a thin film with excellent physical properties, for use invacuum packages.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a bag foruse in vacuum packages produced by use of the film according to thepresent invention.

Based on the present invention, the above objects of the presentinvention can be accomplished by a provision of a method for preparingan air channel-equipped film for use in vacuum packages, which comprisesthe step of providing a gas-impermeable base, along with a melt-extrudedheat-sealable resin, to a laminating unit consisting of a laminatingroll and a cooling roll, to form a heat-sealable resin layer on thegas-impermeable base, characterized in that the heat-sealable resin ismolded and cooled in such a way that a plurality of protrusions,corresponding to a plurality of grooves formed in a predeterminedpattern on the circumferential surface of the cooling roll, are formedon the molded heat-sealable resin layer, defining channels for theevacuation of air therebetween.

In addition, according to the present invention, a bag for use in vacuumpackages is provided, which comprises a first sheet and a second sheet,one overlapping the other. Each of the two sheets is composed of alaminated film consisting of a gas-impermeable base layer as an outerlayer and a heat-sealable resin layer as an inner layer, wherein atleast one of the first sheet and the second sheet is a film for use invacuum packages produced according to the method of this invention. Thefirst sheet and the second sheet are bonded to each other along theirlower, left, and right edges so as to form a space for receiving aproduct to be vacuum packaged therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of thepresent invention will be more clearly understood from the followingdetailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the conventional bag for usein vacuum packages;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the conventional bag for usein vacuum packages, with its one sheet being subjected to embossing;

FIG. 3 illustrates heat bonding of a plurality of heat-sealable strandelements onto a surface of a heat-sealable layer of a laminated sheetcomprising a gas-impermeable layer and the heat-sealable layer accordingto the conventional method;

FIG. 4 illustrates a formation of air channels by the conventionalco-extrusion process using blowing;

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a formation of a heat-sealabel resinlayer with protrusions and channels for the evacuation of air on agas-impermeable base layer of the film according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a partial expanded view of FIG. 5 illustrating a formation ofthe heat-sealable resin layer with protrusions and channels for theevacuation of air on the gas-impermeable base layer of the filmaccording to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic partial perspective view of an extruder shown inFIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a plane view of the film for use in vacuum packages accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a plane view of the film for use in vacuum packages accordingto another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a bag for use in vacuumpackages according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to FIG. 5, formation of a heat-sealable resin layer withprotrusions and air channels on a gas-impermeable base layer accordingto an embodiment of the present invention is schematically illustrated.A laminating roll 20′ and a cooling roll 20 constituting a laminatingunit are arranged at regular intervals so that the melt-extrudedheat-sealable resin layer is stacked on the gas-impermeable base layerwhile the heat-sealable resin is cooled. Illustrative, but non-limitingexamples of materials of the laminating roll and the cooling rollinclude steel and rubber. The space between the laminating roll and thecooling roll is desirably controlled according to specifications (forexample, thickness) of the film for use in vacuum packages. It ispreferable to control the temperature of the cooling roll in a range ofabout −15 to about −10

so that the melt-extruded resin is cooled. However, the temperature ofthe cooling roll may be varied according to a laminating condition.

Typically, the cooling roll has a larger diameter than the laminatingroll, for example, the diameter of the cooling roll is about 1.5 toabout 3 times as large as that of the laminating roll. This range is setforth to illustrate, but is not to be construed to limit the diameter ofthe cooling roll.

The gas-impermeable base 10 is fed to the nip between the cooling roll20 and the laminating roll 20′ by a feeding means (not shown in FIG. 5).Examples of the gas-impermeable base include polyester, polyamide, andEVOH (ethylene vinyl alcohol), and it is preferable that thegas-impermeable base is made of materials capable of securing mechanicalproperties when subject to heating in the process of the subsequentvacuum packaging.

The heat-sealable resin is typically made of a thermoplastic resin.After perishable products are stuffed into a bag for use in vacuumpackages produced by using a laminated film of the present invention andair which is present in the bag is evacuated, the heat-sealable resinlayer of the two sheets in contact with each other while being heated,should be strongly bonded to each other so as to prevent environmentalair from penetrating into the bag. In particular, it is preferable thatthe heat-sealable resin is made of polyethylene (PE) suitable topreserve foods and harmless to a human body.

In FIG. 5, an extruder 30 is positioned in such a way that themelt-extruded heat-sealable resin is layered on the base layer byfeeding the extruded heat-sealable resin to the nip between the coolingroll 20 and the laminating roll 20′. The heat-sealable resin is fedthrough a nozzle 31 of the extruder 30. At this time, the temperature ofthe melt-extruded heat-sealable resin depends on a kind of the usedresin, and preferably, ranges from about 200 to about 250 □.Furthermore, the amount of resin to be extruded into the laminating unitdepends on the required thickness of the heat-sealable resin layer to bepositioned on the base layer.

According to the present invention, a plurality of grooves are formed ina predetermined pattern on the circumferential surface of the coolingroll 20. In FIG. 5, a film for use in vacuum packages according to anembodiment of the present invention is illustrated, in which theheat-sealable resin layer is molded in such a way that protrusionscorresponding to illustrative-shaped grooves formed in a predeterminedpattern on the circumferential surface of the cooling roll and airchannels defined by the space between the protrusions, are formed on themolded heat-sealable resin layer.

As described above, according to the present invention, theheat-sealable resin melt-extruded by the extruder is fed through thenozzle of the extruder, and naturally molded by the grooves of thecooling roll while being cooled. The melt-extruded heat-sealable resinis fed along with the base layer to a laminating unit consisting of thelaminating roll and the cooling roll having the grooves formed in apredetermined pattern, and the heat-sealable resin is molded in such away that a plurality of protrusions, corresponding to the grooves formedon the circumferential surface of the cooling roll, are formed on themolded heat-sealable resin layer, defining channels for the evacuationof air therebetween, thereby the film for use in vacuum packages 40 ofthe present invention can be prepared. The pattern of the grooves can beformed in desired various shapes such as straight lines and curved linesaccording to shapes of desired channels, and the shape of the pattern isnot limited. Unlike the conventional method adopting a post-embossingtreatment, in case that the melt-extruded heat-sealable resin is moldedand cooled by use of the grooves according to the present invention, theperformance of securing a vacuum by use of the melt-extrudedheat-sealable resin is not poor, even though the heat-sealable resinlayer is kept thin.

FIG. 6 is a partial expanded view of FIG. 5 illustrating formation ofthe heat-sealable resin layer with protrusions and channels for theevacuation of air on the gas-impermeable base layer, and FIG. 7 is aschematic partial perspective view of an extruder shown in FIG. 5. Theextruded heat-sealable resin is fed through a nozzle 32 of a nozzle part31 to the laminating unit, as shown in FIG. 7. With reference to FIGS. 5to 7, the base 10 is fed to the nip between the cooling roll 20 and thelaminating roll 20′ constituting the laminating unit. At this time, aplurality of grooves 21 are formed in a predetermined pattern on thecircumferential surface of the cooling roll 20. According to theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, each of the grooves is formed in anuneven pattern on the circumferential surface of the cooling roll 20such that each groove is symmetrical with neighboring grooves.

Moreover, the extruder 30 is positioned between the cooling roll 20having the grooves 21 with a predetermined pattern and the laminatingroll 20′, and the heat-sealable resin extruded by the nozzle 32 of theextruder 30 is pressed, along with the base 10, by the cooling roll 20and the laminating roll 20′ constituting the laminating unit to formprotrusions corresponding to the grooves of the cooling roll 20 on theheat-sealable resin layer formed on the upper surface of the film 40 foruse in vacuum packages. At this time, channels for the evacuation of airare formed on the heat-sealable resin layer at positions betweenprotrusions formed by the grooves 21 of the cooling roll 20.

According to the present invention, the channels may be formed in such away that a plurality of stripes or crossed stripes are longitudinallyextended on the film. The stripe- or cross stripe-shaped channels areset forth to illustrate, but are not to be construed to limit the shapeof the channel. Therefore, any shapes of the channels can be applied toa bag for use in vacuum packages of the present invention.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the grooves are formed in apredetermined uneven pattern on the circumferential surface of thecooling roll, and so a plurality of protrusions are formed on theheat-sealable resin layer and define channels therebetween, which act aschannels for the movement of air. Therefore, the shape of the channelsof the present invention is determined by the pattern on the coolingroll. On the other hand, the cooling roll having protrusions with theuneven pattern may be employed, so that the resulting channels take anuneven pattern.

Referring to FIG. 8, a plane view of the film for use in vacuum packagesaccording to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, inwhich a plurality of protrusions with the uneven pattern are positionedon the film and channels formed at the gaps between the protrusions arelongitudinally extended. Therefore, air remaining in the bag is smoothlyevacuated along the channels during the evacuation of air.

Turning now to FIG. 9, a plane view of a film for use in vacuum packagesaccording to another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated.In this embodiment, a plurality of grooves are formed in a wave patternon the circumferential surface of the cooling roll, and thus channelsdefined by the gaps between protrusions take the shape of the wavepattern.

Meanwhile, the thickness of each protrusion formed on the heat-sealableresin layer of a laminated film 40 is determined by the depth of grooves21 formed on the cooling roll 20, and the width of the channel isdetermined by the interval between the grooves 21. Thus, the shape,width, and thickness of the channels for the evacuation of air, definedby the gaps between protrusions are controlled by changing thespecifications for the grooves of the cooling roll according to use ofthe laminated film.

In the heat-sealable resin layer having such channels, it is typicalthat each channel ranges from about 40 to about 100

in depth, each protrusion and the base layer are about 150 to about 300

and about 30 to about 200

in thickness, respectively. However, the dimensions of the channel, theprotrusion, and the base layer are set forth to illustrate, but are notto be construed to limit the dimensions.

According to the present invention, the base layer may consist of onelayer, or two or more layers. When employing a multilayer-structuredbase layer, it should be understood that a total thickness thereof isalso adjusted within the allowable range for the base layer.

With reference to FIG. 10, a bag for use in vacuum packages produced byusing the film of the present invention is illustrated, in which the bag50 for use in vacuum packages consists of a first sheet 51 and a secondsheet 52 overlapping each other, and channels are formed on any one ofthe first sheet 51 and the second sheet 52. At this time, theheat-sealable resin layer and the base layer of each sheet are typicallymade of the same material as those of the other sheet, but they may alsobe made of different materials. The heat-sealable resin layer is used asan inner layer and the base layer is used as an outer layer. Inaddition, lower, left, and right edges of the first and the second sheetare bonded to each other so as to form a space for receiving a productto be vacuum packaged. In case of using the sheet on which channels arenot formed, the sheet ranges from about 50 to about 150

in thickness. In FIG. 10, channels with a predetermined pattern areformed on any one of the first sheet and the second sheet. However, itshould be understand that a film, in which channels with a predeterminedpattern are formed, may be useful as the material of both the firstsheet and the second sheet of the bag for use in vacuum packages of thisinvention. Furthermore, various shapes of bags for use in vacuumpackages can be prepared by using the laminated film having channels ofthe present invention.

A better understanding of the present invention may be obtained byreading the following examples which are set forth to illustrate, butare not to be construed to limit the present invention.

EXAMPLE 1

A polyamide base layer with a width of 1200 mm and a thickness of 75

was fed to a laminating unit at a rate of 80 m/min, as shown in FIG. 5.A laminating roll and a cooling roll made of steel were 250

and 500

in diameter, respectively, and the depth of each groove on the coolingroll was 0.8 mm. The gap between the laminating roll and the coolingroll was 100

, and an extruder was positioned around the nip between the laminatingroll and the cooling roll so that a melt-extruded polyethylene resin(CA-110 made by SK Corp.) at 220

was fed from a nozzle of the extruder to the laminating unit to producea film for use in vacuum packages. At this time, the temperature of thecooling roll was −12

. The film for use in vacuum packages thus produced comprised a baselayer with a thickness of 75

, protrusions with a thickness of 250

, and channels with a depth of 25

and was used as a first sheet. A second sheet was produced according tothe same procedure as the first sheet, and combined with the first sheetto prepare a bag of 300×400 mm for use in vacuum packages. At this time,the second sheet does not have channels, and the base layer and theheat-sealable resin layer were 75

and 25

in thickness, respectively. Samples were put into the bag for use invacuum packages, and tightly vacuum-packed by use of a vacuum packingmachine (trade name: Foodsaver 550). 100 Samples thus packed were testedfor 100 hours, and then the number of bags not maintaining a vacuumstate was counted. The results are given in Table 1, below.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1

Performance of a bag for use in vacuum packages was evaluated accordingto the same procedure as example 1 except that commercial Foodsaver®made by Tilia Inc. was used as the bag. The results are described inTable 1, below.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 2

Performance of a bag for use in vacuum packages was evaluated accordingto the same procedure as example 1 except that commercial MAGIC VAC madeby Flaemnouva Co. was used as the bag. The results are described inTable 1, below. TABLE 1 Example 1 Com. Ex. 1 Com. Ex. 2 Number of bagsnot maintaining 0 20 5 vacuum

From the results of Table 1, it can be seen that the bag for use invacuum packages according to example 1 of the present invention is muchbetter than the conventional bags for use in vacuum packages in view ofmaintaining a vacuum state for an extended period.

Industrial Applicability

According to a method of preparing a film for use in vacuum packages ofthe present invention, as described above, protrusions and channels arenaturally formed on a heat-sealable resin layer by grooves of a coolingroll when a heat-sealable resin is layered on a gas-impermeable base.Therefore, the method is simple because of its ability to form airchannels without the aid of additional embossing techniques, as well asbeing economically favorable owing to the employment of no embossingmolds. Also, the freedom in patterning the grooves of the cooling rollmakes it possible to form versatile air channel patterns and to easilycontrol the intervals between the air channels, with an increase inproductivity of about 50% compared to the conventional techniques.

The present invention has been described in an illustrative manner, andit is to be understood that the terminology used is intended to be inthe nature of description rather than of limitation. Many modificationsand variations of the present invention are possible in light of theabove teachings. Therefore, it is to be understood that within the scopeof the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than asspecifically described.

1-8. (canceled)
 9. An apparatus for manufacturing a multi-layer film foruse in vacuum packaging applications, said multi-layer film including aninner layer having a plurality of grooves which operate to form channelssuitable for evacuation of gas when said multi-layer film is used in thecreation of a vacuum packaging bag, said apparatus comprising: anextruder for extruding a first material suitable for forming said innerlayer of said multi-layer film, said first material capable of forming asubstantially vacuum safe seal under sealing conditions present intypical vacuum packaging applications; and a cooling roll positionedwith respect to said extruder such that said extruder applies said firstmaterial onto a circumferential surface of said cooling roll, saidcooling roll formed having a pattern on said circumferential surface ofsaid cooling roll which gives shape to said plurality of grooves on saidinner layer, said plurality of grooves tending to improve over asubstantially flat surface an evacuation of gas in typical vacuumpackaging applications.
 10. An apparatus as recited in claim 9, whereinsaid extruder is a melt-extrusion extruder.
 11. An apparatus as recitedin claim 9, wherein said extruder further includes a nozzle arranged toapply said first material onto said circumferential surface of saidcooling roll.
 12. An apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein saidextruder is a single layer extruder.
 13. An apparatus as recited inclaim 9, wherein said first material is a heat-sealable resin and saidapparatus further includes a source of said heat-sealable resin coupledto said extruder.
 14. An apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein saidpattern on said circumferential surface of said cooling roll is anuneven pattern.
 15. An apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein saidpattern on said circumferential surface of said cooling roll is a wavepattern.
 16. An apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said pattern onsaid circumferential surface of said cooling roll is a striped pattern.17. An apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said cooling rollincludes steel.
 18. An apparatus as recited in claim 9, said apparatusfurther comprising a temperature controller for controlling atemperature of said cooling roll in order to properly effectuate coolingand formation of said first material into said patterned inner layer.19. An apparatus as recited in claim 9 further comprising a laminatingroll arranged to assist in holding said first material onto said coolingroll.
 20. An apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein said laminatingroll includes rubber.
 21. An apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein acooling roll diameter is about 1.5 to 3 times larger than a laminatingroll diameter.
 22. An apparatus as recited in claim 19 wherein saidextruder, cooling roll, and laminating roll are arranged to accept anouter layer in conjunction with said extruded first material, such thatsaid inner layer and said outer layer are laminated in between thecooling roll and the laminating roll to form said multi-layer film. 23.An apparatus for manufacturing a multi-layer film for use in vacuumpackaging applications, said multi-layer film including an inner layerhaving a plurality of grooves which operate to form channels suitablefor evacuation of gas when said multi-layer film is used in the creationof a vacuum packaging bag, said apparatus comprising: a single layerheat-extruder having a nozzle for melt extruding a heat-sealable resinsuitable for forming said inner layer of said multi-layer film; acooling roll positioned with respect to said extruder nozzle such thatsaid extruder applies said heat-sealable resin onto a circumferentialsurface of said cooling roll, said cooling roll formed having a patternon said circumferential surface of said cooling roll which gives shapeto said plurality of grooves on said inner layer, said cooling rollincluding steel; a temperature controller for controlling a temperatureof said cooling roll in order to properly effectuate cooling andformation of said heat-sealable resin into said grooved inner layer; alaminating roll arranged to assist in holding said first material ontosaid cooling roll, said laminating roll having a diameter smaller than adiameter of said cooling roll; and wherein said extruder, cooling roll,and laminating roll are arranged to accept an outer layer in conjunctionwith said extruded first material, such that said inner layer and saidouter layer are laminated in between the cooling roll and the laminatingroll to form said multi-layer film.
 24. An apparatus for manufacturingvacuum packaging bag material, said apparatus comprising: at least oneapparatus for manufacturing a multi-layer film, said multi-layer filmincluding an inner layer having a plurality of grooves which operate toform channels suitable for evacuation of gas when said multi-layer filmis used in the creation of a vacuum packaging bag, said at least oneapparatus including: an extruder for extruding a first material suitablefor forming said inner layer of said multi-layer film, said firstmaterial capable of forming a substantially vacuum safe seal undersealing conditions present in typical vacuum packaging applications; acooling roll positioned with respect to said extruder such that saidextruder applies said first material onto a circumferential surface ofsaid cooling roll, said cooling roll formed having a pattern on saidcircumferential surface of said cooling roll which gives shape to saidplurality of grooves on said inner layer, said plurality of groovestending to improve over a substantially flat surface an evacuation ofgas in typical vacuum packaging applications; a device for merging twosheets of said multi-layer film into said vacuum packaging bag materialby heat-sealing heat sealing opposing outer edges of said two sheets ofsaid multi-layer film.
 25. An apparatus as recited in claim 24, furthercomprising a device for cutting said vacuum packaging bag material intomultiple blanks each sealed on opposing outer edges.
 26. An apparatus asrecited in claim 25, further comprising a device for sealing a thirdedge of each of said multiple blanks, whereby each blank becomes avacuum packaging bag sealed on three sides with an opening for insertionof product and for evacuation.
 27. An apparatus as recited in claim 24,further comprising a device for forming a roll of bag material from saidvacuum packaging bag material.